8,000 students participate in first World Peace Congress

School students from across the world discussed the importance of global peace at the first-of-its-kind World Peace Congress for students on Friday.

School students from across the world discussed the importance of global peace at the first-of-its-kind World Peace Congress for students on Friday.

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The first day of the Congress, which was held at NES International School, Mulund, was attended by 29 schools, with about 8,000 students participating in a peace marathon, a peace march and a flag rally, apart from several academics events.

“Peace is a fundamental requirement for the world and with this objective, we have decided to introduce World Peace as a subject for our students,” said R Varadarajan, chairman, World Peace Congress and president of NES-SVB group of 50 schools.

Ian Chambers, regional director of International Baccalaureate (IB) Asia Pacific, emphasised on the role of education in shaping perspectives and bringing about world peace.

“I am proud to be a part of such an event in a country which had one of the greatest role models for peace in Mahatma Gandhi,” said Chambers. “It is necessary to take education away from classrooms and bring about a change in the attitude of young people.” He also added that students must be inspired and take courage from the story of Malala Yousafzai.

Actor Anil Kapoor delivered the peace message to students – “We must participate to resolve conflicts… become responsible citizens and realise our role in maintaining world peace.”

Students from Germany, Afgh-anistan and Taiwan participated on the first day. “Our school takes a strong interest in social initiatives such as spreading peace,” said K Jessamine, 14, a student of Dominican International School, Taiwan.